The first joint production by two local amateur theatre groups will bring a classic Christmas story to The ACT next week.

A musical version of Charles Dickens' gloomy Christmas tale with ghosts from Christmas past, present, and future is being presented by Emerald Pig Theatrical Society and SPECC-tacular Productions.

"Welcome to London circa 1850," said Ed Marshall with SPECC-tacular Productions who is artistic director of the musical version of A Christmas Carol by Michael DeMaio.

"As a collaboration, it's gone exceptionally well," said Marshall of the joint effort.

SPECC-tacular Productions has traditionally put on a pantomime at Christmas. This year, they had something bigger in mind.

A Christmas Carol is a traditional Christmas story, Marshall said.

"I just thought it's got a lot of meaning at this time of year," Marshall said.

The amateur theatre company had bought the rights to A Christmas Carol, but when Marshall went to book The ACT for SPECC-tacular's Christmas play, Emerald Pig had beat them to it - and they were planning to put on a shorter version of A Christmas Carol. A few emails and conversations later, and the collaboration was in full swing.

The production team started working already in April. With one of the largest casts either group has worked with - principal characters alone number 34 - there was plenty of work to do.

"It's going to be visually spectacular," Marshall said.

On opening night, Tuesday, Dec. 13, there will be a grand opening gala at 6:30 p.m. with hot apple cider, minced pie, shortbread, and carollers entertaining the theatregoers.

The cast are all amateurs, Marshall pointed out, and the come from Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Mission, Langley, and Port Coquitlam. There are actors aged 10 to 60.

"The cast has been fabulous," Marshall said. "Honestly, one of the easiest casts to work with."

They've been meeting three times a week for months. Three weeks before they were set to go on stage at The ACT with the musical version of A Christmas Carol, they were putting the finishing touches - polishing up their acts.

Practicing in small spaces like Maple Ridge Dance Circle can be difficult to manage, Marshall said, but when they get on stage at The Act, the magic will come alive.

"Everybody is just so excited and can't wait to get on stage," he said.

In addition to free use of Maple Ridge Dance Circle, the District of Maple Ridge and the City of Pitt Meadows have been generous in letting the two theatre groups rehearse in their spaces for free.

A Christmas Carol, a musical by Michael DeMaio, will run from Dec. 13 to 17 at The ACT. Shows are on Dec. 13 to 16 at 7:30 p.m., and on Dec. 17 at noon and 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 or group of four $65 and are available at the ticket centre at 604-476-2787. Info: www.theactmapleridge.org.